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2017 Kia Sorento: True Cost, Problems & Verdict

795 NHTSA owner complaints · 4 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.

Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
Kia Sorento
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · open the model page
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Owner complaints: 795 filed with NHTSA

Complaints per year on the road: 88.33

Engine381Exterior Lighting125Unknown Or Other103Steering95Electrical System93Fuel/Propulsion System39

What owners say

Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.

My high beams and low beams are starting to shut off randomly while driving. They are burning out weekly and having to be replaced. 1 of my tail lights is doing the same exact thing. I replace it. It works for a couple weeks and then goes out. When the headlights shut off my dash shows that i am trying to turn my headlights from auto to another setting, which is not the case. It has happened at night multiple times …
Fuel injectors become unseated randomly causing gas to be sprayed inside engine compartment. Issue can be seen upon request. This issue could cause a fire/explosion as fuel sprays out. The issue was repaired once by an Independent shop, then the issue reoccurred and has now reoccurred again. The issue fails randomly and fully with the symptom being the vehicle not wanting to start.
2017 Kia Sorento 2.4L GDI engine seized due to connecting rod bearing failure confirmed by P1326 diagnostic code multiple times. Vehicle entered limp mode limiting RPMs to 1800-2000 exactly as described in PI1802 campaign. Engine subsequently fully seized. Battery tested 98% healthy ruling out electrical cause. Vehicle towed to [XXX] Kia Avon Indiana. Kia Techline and Consumer Affairs denied PI1802 lifetime warranty …

Recalls: 4 campaigns (1 severe)

2016201720182022
CampaignComponentSummary
22V703000Trailer HitchesKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and…
18V907000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, LiKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received a…
17V586000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been imprope…
16V862000Trailer HitchesKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2…

True cost of ownership

Fuel (your region) $0
Maintenance band (your region) $2,175$4,481
Estimated running cost this year (age 9) $4,481

Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.

02468101214$5,591vehicle age (years)
fuel/energy + maintenance band (annual, USD, estimate)

Run your own numbers in the true-cost calculator →

FAQ

What is the most common problem with the 2017 Kia Sorento?

The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (381 complaints in our indexed sample).

Is the 2017 Kia Sorento a good used car to buy?

Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 30/100, computed from 795 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.

Does the 2017 Kia Sorento have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for the 2017 Kia Sorento, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 19/09/2022. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

What will a 2017 Kia Sorento really cost YOU per year?

Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.

Open the true-cost calculator

Data sources

Complaints & recalls: NHTSA · Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov · Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements. Last updated: 2026-08-20.

30RELIABILITY / 100
AVOID
  • 795 NHTSA complaints on record (88.3/yr of exposure)
  • 4 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems

How this score is computed →

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